School ended in a timely manner.

We had both Saturday and Sunday to work on our weaknesses and strengths.

The "Kings Tournament" was on Monday, this meant I had to get as stronger as I could before we present ourselves to the king.

I went back to the dorm to tell Chase that I wouldn't be in for the weekend.

I needed more time by myself to work on my control. This meant going to a secluded space and trying my ass off for the days we have left.

"Chase, I'm going into the wild to train. I want to win this tournament." I said.

"To like.. the outside? where an increase of Ethereal was spotted..." Chase said worriedly.

"Yeah, I need to get stronger... and the Ethereal is soon going to mass invade our world. Time waits for no man." I said.

"That's risky, but stay safe!" Said chase.

"You too" I replied.

I took the books that I haven't read yet, prepared some food, and told the principal that I won't be on the school grounds over the weekend.

For the first time in 20 years, I'm going to be all alone in the world. Where one mistake could be the end of my life.

As the veil weakened, more and more Ethereal were able to enter the world and cause chaos, there are 4 zones in which the humans abandoned. These zones have Ethereal monsters packed in them. They are labeled: Easy Zone, this is... Well, the easiest zone, low-level creatures, overall a decent starting place to train. Intermediate Zone, this is the second easiest, but there are of course harder monsters here, they usually stay in packs. Expert Zone, this is where most seasoned B-S ranks train, the monster rarely stay in packs but they are ridiculously strong. Then there is the Challenger Zone, where there are creatures too daunting for the human race to face, there are multiple rank S challengers just guarding the border so nothing gets out of hand. Anyone can enter, but anyone could also die.

I was a bit ballsy, but I decided to go to the Expert Zone...

But before I head to the training zone, I needed a weapon... What if I run out of mana? How am I supposed to defend myself?

I asked, "Do you perhaps know anyone who makes or sells weapons?" to the principal.

"Yes... I know one person, but I don't know where she is right now, that brat moves to a new location every day," he responded.

"You won't be able to find her now. I'm guessing you require a weapon, here take this." The principal said while tossing me a sword.

The sword was very intricate, the blade was very sharp, the weight was really good for a broadsword... This didn't look like a cheap sword.

"This is something far too valuable for me, I can't take it," I say to the principal.

"Take it, child, it's the swords I used in war, now it's the sword you'll use for now, at least until you find a better one. The weapon is collecting dust in my office, you should at least use the fine weapon." Said the principal.

Now the weapon was a fine one, but the reason I didn't want to take it was partly that I don't like how broadsword felt.

"I'll take this, for now, when I come back I'll hand this weapon back to you," I replied.

As I left the room I heard a faint chuckle from the principal's room...

In the principals head:

The kid doesn't even know that do wield that weapon, you need immense willpower, crazy connection to the elements, and if the swords find you worthy to wield it... He's the third person in the world to ever pick that weapon up... third only to me and his father.

Back to Stephen:

Okay. We have food for the weekend, we have a backup weapon, we have the books, I also bought some healing sediments in case I get hurt. I think it's time I head to the abandoned earth.

While walking out of the school, I saw Alice at the front gate...

"So?" said Alice.

"So...?" I replied.

"So, when were you going to tell me you are leaving for the weekend?" Alice asked.

I wasn't going to tell her because I had a gut feeling that she would ask to come along...

"I forgot... I was so excited I forgot to tell you." I said.

"well it's good I found out, take me along with you," Alice exclaimed.

"I would love to take you, but it's the expert zone, I don't want you to get hurt because of me," I replied.

"Expert zone, that's a rough place, you'll need some backup, I'm the 3rd best in class, only third to you and Alphonse, I'm sure I can take care of you and myself."

"Are you sure your sure?" I ask one more time...

"Yes... let me get some food and some extra clothing, give me 5 minutes." Said Alice.

This is why I didn't want to say anything... I don't mind her coming along, but what if she gets hurt?

"Okay, I brought some extra food and clothing," said Alice.

I nod my head.

We made our way out of the city and started our walk towards the bus stop. The zones in North America are the easy and expert zones. The reason why I picked the expert zone was one because it would be better to train in a more harsh environment, and 2 because it's in the USA and not in Canada or Mexico.

The ride would take at least 6 hours...

Alice and I got on the bus and thus began our journey.

The first bus took 4 hours, then the second bus will take 2 more hours.

While on the second bus Alice fell asleep, she laid her head on my shoulders... I don't mean to brag or anything... But I probably am the luckiest man in the world... aside from Issei or Sung Jin-Woo...

We rode the bus to its last stop, after that it was a 1-hour walk towards the abandoned earth.

It was already dark, but we made it to the gate of the zone. There we were met by an old man, his physique seemed to be S ranked.

"State your name, physique, and reason for entering the Zone." The old man said.

"My name is Stephen Wilson, this is Alice Blake, we both are A ranked, and the reason for entering is to train ourselves," I replied.

"So young yet wanting to train... Haha, this world is definitely in good hands. Go ahead." said the old man.

As soon as we took a step inside, we were faced with immense force, barely able to hold on, we withstood it...

"You both withstood the force, this means you are capable of going in." the old man said.

That's one way to test one's aptitude.

The gravity here was at least 8 times denser than it was outside of the gate. It made it quite hard to walk, but it looked like me and Alice could handle it. Looks like she can handle herself.

We made our way into the zone, the trees were so thick that we couldn't see the sky.

After 20 minutes of walking in one direction, we made it to an open field. There we saw a blood-red sky, 2 big arks in the sky, with a beam in the middle of each of them. That wasn't the weirdest thing though, there was a sliver of a planet in the sky, It looked like earth, but completely white... Is that the reason they are able to make this area a zone in which they can live? That also explains the gravity here... What would happen if the whole planet was here?

It was dark and we were tired, we needed a place to sleep the night away. We searched the open field for a while until we saw a cave small, but just big enough for the two of us and some decent protection.

We made a little camp in the cave.

"How are you holding up?" I asked Alice.

"Great, the gravity is kind of an annoyance though," Alice replied.

"You are not wrong, it is taking us 8 times more energy just to walk... Anyways, the sky, it looks daunting right?" I said.

"It truly is... I've never seen anything like it," Alice replied

"Let us head to bed, we are going to need energy for tomorrow," Alice said.

"Yes, tomorrow may be a rough day, Goodnight," I said

"Goodnight" Alice replied.

Tomorrow will be the start of our training, I hope everything goes well...